European airlines and airports ask for flexibility as EU Entry Exit System shows failure
Airports and airlines called on the European Commission and EU Member States to immediately introduce additional flexibility in the operation of the Schengen Entry Exit System (EES), as the first day of full operations during Easter was marked by passenger disruptions, delays and missed flights.
ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) have for weeks cautioned about the EES operational rollout challenges. On this first day of full operations, these major concerns are now a reality.
The European Commission highlighted in a communication that registering a traveler takes on average only 70 seconds when the EES is functioning at full capacity. However, initial reports from a number of airports and airlines across the Schengen area confirm that the mandatory registration of all third-country nationals as of 31 March – combined with the end of the possibility to fully suspend the system effective, is now resulting in:
- Passenger waiting times of 2 to 3 hours at airport border control during peak travel periods. These delays are occurring despite border authorities making extensive use of partial suspension measures, which allow biometrics data not to be captured.
- Significant disruption to flight operations, with passengers missing flights and delays due to prolonged border processing times. For instance, a flight to the UK today was missing 51 passengers at departure. Another flight had zero passengers on board at gate closing time, and 90 minutes later, 12 passengers were yet to reach the gate.
Related News Stories: Europe-Asia airfares surge amid Gulf flight suspensions. - TravelMole Most Gulf flights suspended after US–Israel strikes on Iran Aviation-Event 2026 Germany to unite Europe's air transport leaders Fuel shortages disrupt Cuba aviation and tourism operations EU aviation groups demand suspension of EU-Qatar air agreement AirAsia eyes Europe flights with Gulf airport hub - TravelMole Aviation groups face off over Spain airport fee - Travel Mole TAP Air Portugal expands summer network across Europe and Brazil Airbus A320 alert hits Asia while Europe and Americas mostly ... FAA lifts Caribbean ban flights although Venezuela remains isolated
newadmin
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
Overseas travelers to the United States declined by 2.5% in 2025